No, I wouldn't say so. I was over at Westfield Woden today and Lennock Skoda had it set up very nicely. A good central location with lots of light (and no mobile phone accessories booth or Boost Juice stand nearby). There seemed to be a few people looking at the cars. And Colin, the guy who sold me my RS, was there to answer questions.
Plus, you have to remember that people in Canberra still have plenty of $$$. The Federal Govt isn't going out of business soon. So the people who are walking around aren't the unemployed. They are public servants with money in their pockets on their lunch break.
I doubt whether Skoda would call themselves a luxury brand and I would hardly describe Chadstone or Westfield Doncaster in Melbourne as sub prime hangouts. Within 500 metres of Westfield Doncaster there are the following vehicle makes for sale; Bently, Alfa Romeo, Audi, Citroen, Land Rover, Jaguar, Mercedes Benz, BMW, Mini, Subaru and Ford. If Skoda buyers don't fit in the same demographic who buy any of those vehicles I'd love to know what demographic they do fit into.
Edit: I forgot Holden and also the rumour that the parent company of the Audi dealer are keen on a Skoda franchise.
Last edited by K1W1; 21-07-2010 at 06:00 PM.
I didn't mention CHaddy as it wouldn't really have the space, nor would it charge a small $$ for any stand there. It would have to be one of the most upmarket shopping centres (but still caters for everything else) that I would know anywhere in Oz full stop.
They would be pretty particular about any cars on display there. Westfield Doncaster would have trouble fitting any in either though, and they would be prime for the Bayford guys.
No Penfold Audi used to be a joint place with Mazda in Burwood and then they built a separate showroom/service centre down the road further near their Holden bit. I used to like Audis until I saw how many things broke/stuffed up at them and had chats with the mechanics there, there were always way less issues with the Mazdas. It did make me think long and hard about getting a VAG car.
Richmond Audi/Skoda is part of the Audi Centre on Victoria st....in some ways its also their dumping ground, they are forever running cars back and forwards between them. The SAAB/Hummer place up the road I think is part of the same dealer as well as they store a lot of the cars up there as well. I bet when they setup the SAAB and the Skoda dealerships, they wouldn't have predicted the SAAB one sucking, maybe they should move Skoda up into that spot, now that HUmmer is also sold off who knows how good its going to be long term.
Last edited by woofy; 21-07-2010 at 10:41 PM.
Correct. Penfolds own the Audi Centre Doncaster along with the one in Burwood. They also have a VW service centre in a back street behind the Audi Centre in Doncaster. I have a mate who takes his Golf there.
The Richmond Skoda is part of the same group that owns the Richmond Audi and the City Audi Centre in Swanston St. I don't know whether or not there is an association with the Saab / Hummer in Richmond other them being neighbours. I believe the Audi / Skoda business is owned by an Indonesian group.
Ahh dealerships and franchises.... Oh the tangled web we weave....
Just heard a radio ad for Bayford Preston Skoda on SEN 15mins ago.
Pretty safe understated ad, ie opposite to flashy tacky kinda add. Mentioned the Superb & Occy RS and that the Superb was TOP GEAR mag luxury car of the year (2009).
Good to hear they're getting out there.
Cheers,
Jayse.
The Fräulein: Black .:R36 Wagon...all boxes ticked!!
The German Mistress: 2001 Black B5 A4 1.8T
The Saab dealership in Richmond is really suffering trying to sell 2005-2009 models on their new model showroom floor space. It is rrreaaalllyy sad. However, expect them (according to sales staff) to have new models on the floor by about October. Pitty, would have been a good place for Skoda to branch out on their own away from the Audi snobs!
2011 Superb Wagon Elegance 1.8TSI Storm Blue with: KESSY, 18" sports pack, panoramic roof, false floor, 3 spoke paddle shift, electric tailgate, MDI, blinds, tow bar, privacy glass, bluetooth and reversing camera
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